There is a cheap and easy way for Australian pome fruit growers to reduce crop losses from environmental stress this season.
This is good news, with warmer-than-usual spring days and warmer nights already predicted in the southern half of Australia. A drier-than-normal spring (Sept–Nov) is also expected in south-east mainland areas, especially central Victoria, southern and central NSW.
In preparation, growers can boost their crop’s ability to cope with these environmental conditions with a low-cost, effective, and naturally-occurring product that can be included in existing spray programs and tank mixes, and which leaves no white residue on fruit at harvest.
Trigger plant defence mechanisms
Australian plant-management technology company, Agricrop, is supplying the horticulture market with Photon 500SG which is based on dicarboxcylic acids. These are naturally derived plant compounds that stimulate the tree’s own defences against heat, moisture and chilling stress, enabling higher yields and better quality produce.
Agricrop product marketing manager Kerrie Mackay said Photon was an innovative alternative to sunscreen, being absorbed by the plant and triggering the plant’s own defence mechanisms.
“Photon effectively prepares the plant before the onset of environmental stress, resulting in more vigorous crop growth and productivity.
“It works systemically, causing a biochemical response in the plant’s stress sensors, so it can react more quickly and effectively to environmental conditions that negatively impact on growth.
“So Photon can reduce the impact of climatic stress and maintain crop health and productivity in adverse conditions.”
Ms Mackay said the product had already been patented in other countries, with patents pending in Australia and the USA.
Proven in Australian trials & commercial crops
Photon has proven its efficacy and crop safety in four years of comparative trials in Australia and overseas.
Ms Mackay said Photon was now in its third season of commercial use in Australia, receiving praise from growers for protecting foliage, flowers and fruit.
“Growers have achieved better quality fruit, and higher overall yields from using the product, with no residues to remove after harvest.”
She said Photon was translocated into the plant within 4–6 hours, with excellent rainfastness after this time.
“The high quality water-dispersible granule is used on pome fruit at a very low rate of 4 gm per 100 litres, so is easy to mix, handle and store, providing very cost-effective plant stress management.
“With no known compatibility issues and used in similar water volumes to insecticide and fungicide applications, Photon can be conveniently applied as part of normal spray programs and in growers’ existing tank mixes.”
Using Photon 500SG
Agricrop advises that as a preventative treatment, Photon needs to be applied before plants suffer environmental stress.
“The key to successful Photon treatments is to have the product in the plant at least 3–4 days before a stress event. A lead time of 5 days is ideal for the plant to fully respond to Photon 500SG to minimise the impact of stress.
“Pome fruit growers are advised to begin application within 7 days of petal fall, continuing to apply every 14-21 days until harvest.
“It is important to apply in sufficient water for uniform coverage of foliage, with a surfactant (preferably non-ionic or organo-silicone adjuvant) to spread Photon over the surface of leaves.
“Maximum protection is reached with a second application, with the product remaining effective for up to 21 days. So a season-long program is recommended to maintain ongoing productivity.”
Melbourne Cup promotion
Agricrop is running a Melbourne Cup promotion to encourage and remind growers to buy and apply Photon early, to prepare their crops for the season’s stress events.
According to Ms Mackay, if growers buy before Melbourne Cup they receive extra product for free.
“With no withholding period, Photon can be applied as a foliar spray from flowering right through to harvest,” she said.
Contact Kerrie Mackay, Agricrop phone 07 3348 4113
mobile 0407 424 602 email
For more information see Tree Fruit Sept 2014
